The big news is that Americans are going to have to one day confront our national debt. President Obama is signing a bill to raise our debt ceiling. Great for now, but...
Our country needs to wake upand look at our lifestyle and recognize the need for true change. We need to reevaluate our lives and how money ties into domestic traquility. I know that my household is much more peaceful when our bills are being paid and we live within our means. As a country, we will live more peacefully when we do not owe so much to the world. Our comfort is in the hands of our creditors, which is a scary thought.
Maybe it's time to look at relative simplicity in our lives. Select sports may go out the window, as well as voice lessons and competitive dance teams. We may make more meals at home and invite friends over to spend the evening at our house and not the nearest restaurant. One parent may decide to stay out of the workforce and focus on the family and volunteering in the community or church.
This approach will result in a short-term economic struggle because consumption will not quickly resume to the levels that sustained our binge. This means our enemployment rate will not quickly come down, but it doesn't mean that our country will be in danger. It means that our country will have happier families which are the basis of society. If we have stronger families, we have happier and more productive children who will feel loved for who they are, not what they accomplish.
It's an interesting idea that will need time to take hold. Let's stop and ask our grandparents what they loved most about growing up. I remember my mom recalling her family's Sunday afternoons - drives to friends' houses, or the family coming over to play cards. Real interaction, not social networking.
This is a crazy time for many reasons, and I don't have the time to address every one of them in this session. I just want to start with the idea of fiscal domestic tranquility in our private lives - we need to be pioneers in restraint. Can we do it? Can we really disengage ourselves from the overconsumption of vacations and "me" time? Can we pull our kids out of activities that are over-the-top and really not beneficial?
We can't expect our politicians to do what we're not willing to do, so let's put our money where our mouths are!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Nobody knows the trouble we'll have...
How interesting it is to read the headlines. Yesterday's finanical headlines focused on how the unemployment numbers would be higher, oil was falling, and that home prices would be falling by double digits this year. I just scanned the news and oil is up for the fourth day, median home prices are stable, and unemployment numbers are much better than anticiapted.
All of this confirms what we already know - nobody know the troubles we'll have, or the great times that are ahead. If we had listened to the experts two years ago, oil would be at $200 a barrel instead of trading at $71. I am one who follows the market, and I need to know what's going on today. But why?
Does it matter what my IRA is worth right now, because it certainly won't be the same in 30 years or in 30 minutes. Life changes on a dime. I cannot be secure in my government or my assets because they are based on the actions and wisdom of others. I can, however, be certain of my future as a child of God. I know where I need to focus my time and talents. I know how to treat others and enrich my life in Christ Jesus. I know that my life has a part II where I will be in his glorious presence.
While the world around is like a carousel, going up and down while going round and round, I am standing in one place looking up. It's stabilizing and comforting to know my path, even though it is landscaped with thorns and weeds that try to entice me off the straight and narrow path.
It is this focus that enables me to filter the noise of the world. The abundant love and mercy that God gives me is the greatest gift, and I try to teach my children about the compass he provides. But it can be tough, but nothing is impossible for him who believes. What a promise!
All of this confirms what we already know - nobody know the troubles we'll have, or the great times that are ahead. If we had listened to the experts two years ago, oil would be at $200 a barrel instead of trading at $71. I am one who follows the market, and I need to know what's going on today. But why?
Does it matter what my IRA is worth right now, because it certainly won't be the same in 30 years or in 30 minutes. Life changes on a dime. I cannot be secure in my government or my assets because they are based on the actions and wisdom of others. I can, however, be certain of my future as a child of God. I know where I need to focus my time and talents. I know how to treat others and enrich my life in Christ Jesus. I know that my life has a part II where I will be in his glorious presence.
While the world around is like a carousel, going up and down while going round and round, I am standing in one place looking up. It's stabilizing and comforting to know my path, even though it is landscaped with thorns and weeds that try to entice me off the straight and narrow path.
It is this focus that enables me to filter the noise of the world. The abundant love and mercy that God gives me is the greatest gift, and I try to teach my children about the compass he provides. But it can be tough, but nothing is impossible for him who believes. What a promise!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Kids are getting less dependent
It's a bright, crisp winter morning. It's 8:00 a.m. and I'm in bed, waiting to hear our kids stir. The boys and their friends slept in the family room. I don't want to wake them, so I am enjoying a lazy morning. Hmm, once they awaken I'll make waffles and bacon for breakfast. They love homemade waffles, and we have no place to rush to this morning.
But it then hit me that they are less dependent on me, and it's a liberating feeling as well as a sad one. The days of me being their sun are gone - they now look to me for guidance, money, rules and love. They are capable of making many of their own plans and decisions. They're even old enough to willingly accept the consequencse of poor choices - such as not studying enough for a test or procrastinating on a project.
It's interesting to me that God created these little guys, and girls, who enter our world completely reliant on us. We love them with our heart, soul, mind and strength. It's a love that is completely overwhelming when we stop and examine it. We love with no expectations. They grow up and love us in return - they love because we first loved them. God created this relationship to reflect how he loves us - completely, unconditionally, because we are his. We grow and love him because he first loved us.
With that love we grow into the people he has called us to be. That loves extends to our children, too. They grow because of our love and support. We see glimmers of who they will be as they mature. Our love gives them the roots from which to grow. We give them the freedom to explore their gifts and passions, and we pray they make the right choice. Just like God hopes we make the right choice.
It's helpful for us to remember that God has the same expectations of us as adult children of God as we have of our children. We give them rewards when they are obedient and work to their potential, just as God promises blessings to those who are obedient to him. It's a "practice what you preach" type of lesson. So maybe as we remind our children of our expectations of them, we should pray and ask God to keep us obedient to him and his expectations of us.
But it then hit me that they are less dependent on me, and it's a liberating feeling as well as a sad one. The days of me being their sun are gone - they now look to me for guidance, money, rules and love. They are capable of making many of their own plans and decisions. They're even old enough to willingly accept the consequencse of poor choices - such as not studying enough for a test or procrastinating on a project.
It's interesting to me that God created these little guys, and girls, who enter our world completely reliant on us. We love them with our heart, soul, mind and strength. It's a love that is completely overwhelming when we stop and examine it. We love with no expectations. They grow up and love us in return - they love because we first loved them. God created this relationship to reflect how he loves us - completely, unconditionally, because we are his. We grow and love him because he first loved us.
With that love we grow into the people he has called us to be. That loves extends to our children, too. They grow because of our love and support. We see glimmers of who they will be as they mature. Our love gives them the roots from which to grow. We give them the freedom to explore their gifts and passions, and we pray they make the right choice. Just like God hopes we make the right choice.
It's helpful for us to remember that God has the same expectations of us as adult children of God as we have of our children. We give them rewards when they are obedient and work to their potential, just as God promises blessings to those who are obedient to him. It's a "practice what you preach" type of lesson. So maybe as we remind our children of our expectations of them, we should pray and ask God to keep us obedient to him and his expectations of us.
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